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Keeping Up With Technology

Over the past 50 years, the legal profession has witnessed technological advances that include artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital assistants, personal computers, smartphones, and wireless connectivity. Legal technology can attract clients, manage billing, and perform routine tasks. The ABA recognized the importance of technology in 2012 by amending the Model Rules of Professional Conduct to require lawyers to stay technologically competent. The rules also require lawyers to be alert to the benefits and risks associated with technology. Following are tips for maintaining technological competence and resources for implementing them at your firm. Tips Audit – take a technology assessment to identify areas for improvement. Attitude – stay alert to technological changes that can improve practices and profits. Community – join bar committees and user communities to improve skills and solve problems. Consultant – consult a tech loving co-worker, friend, or IT pr...
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Planning Client Estates

Clients become more aware of their mortality as they age. Lawyers can take advantage of this heightened sense of mortality by reminding clients to create or update estate plans. The benefits of an estate practice include appreciative clients, easy referrals, growing demand, and a harmonious work-life balance. Use the following tips and resources to start an estate practice or expand an existing one.   Competing for Clients Attract clients by networking with accountants, insurance professionals, and wealth planners. Communicate your availability by writing articles for local newspapers and making presentations to clubs, religious groups, and other organizations. Add content to your website explaining how your services fit the estate planning needs of clients. Consider focusing on an affinity group like elderly, young parents, or veterans.   Developing Forms Develop a forms library using print and online sources. Use Microsoft 365, Google G Suite, or drafting software to au...
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Managing Career Transitions

What You Need to Know About Career Transitions Most lawyers remain in the workforce for at least 40 years from their mid-20s to 70s. They usually change jobs at least once during their career. Career changes can happen by accident or design. Motivation can include a desire to improve work/life balance, increase compensation, or improve career outlook. The following are tips for a smooth transition at any age, along with links to resources with more information. Tips Benefits  – consider intangibles like hours, dress code, culture, overtime, remote work, etc. Internal  – try a new role with your current employer to avoid surprises at a different firm. Learning  - make yourself marketable by continuing education and getting certifications. Motivation  – pursue a career change that matches your motivation (e.g., compensation, stress, etc.). Networking  – seek career advice from senior lawyers and confer w...
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Hiring to Retire

Hiring to retire is a popular retirement strategy for solo practitioners. Planning is essential to optimize value and prevent problems caused by career ending disabilities and health emergencies. Following are planning tips for hiring and retiring. Also included are resources to help to implement them. Tips Assessing – assess knowledge, personality, and skills of job candidates; conduct a formal interview and then meet socially with spouses. Communicating – use daily calls, chats, and emails to stay in touch; hold weekly strategy meetings. Compensating – negotiate a salary and buy/sell agreement that incentivizes you and your successor. Hiring – use local bar associations, law schools, and recruiters to find a talented replacement. Marketing – assign responsibility for managing client relationships; monitor billings to assess results. Onboarding – introduce your new hire to clients and staff, provide equipment and supplies, review responsibilities, tour office, etc. Partnering ...
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Going Solo

Starting a new law firm can be financially rewarding and spiritually renewing. Success requires diligence, integrity, and planning. Plan your startup by considering administration, marketing, staffing, and technology. Following are tips for start a successful firm and links to resources with additional information. Tips Adopt a Plan . Prepare a business plan and financial model. Select a system for accounting, billing, intake, and timekeeping.  Attract Clients . Create a marketing strategy that includes launching a website and writing a blog. Also include in-person activities like speaking at local events, taking part in bar programs, and volunteering for charitable work.  Consider Alternatives . Try improving your current job by changing practice areas, switching to flextime, or permanently working remote. Consider alternative career paths like changing law firms, freelancing, or working for a company, government, or nonprofit.  Evaluate Systems  – Cons...
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Using Checklists

Checklists can help you to organize, manage,  and prioritize. Use checklists to avoid relying solely on your memory. Checklists can help you check status, plot deadlines, and share responsibility with lawyers and support staff.  Digital checklists facilitate the process by enabling members of the firm to collaborate and stay up to date.  Purpose -  Checklists compensate for cognitive limits on human memory and attention span. They help assure that all things are considered and completed.   Using -  Checklists usually contain a concise list of important items, names, or tasks. They can be used for comparison, verification, and checking for completion. They apply to all areas of law practice including contracts, corporate, family, and litigation matters. Following are some practical applications for using checklists: Name List  – track names for litigation, marketing, networking purposes Responsibility List  - delegate tasks to lawyers and supp...
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Marketing with Articles

Prospective clients use articles to research legal problems and find legal representation Stand out from the competition by writing articles that demonstrate your expertise and show how you solve legal problems. Article writing is a low-cost way to attract and retain clients. Read on for tips about article writing and resources for marketing your legal services. Tips Articles – write articles for blogs, social media and firm websites. Audience – stay in touch with clients and attract prospects. Calendar - create an editorial calendar to publish articles on a regular basis. Frequency – set a goal of publishing articles monthly or quarterly. Handouts – distribute your articles at meetings and seminars. Newsletters – use newsletters to inform readers about legal developments and planning opportunities. Notes – send short handwritten notes to clients and referral sources for holidays and special occasions. Press Releases – announce new hires and bring attention to significant fi...
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Selling a Firm

Start your retirement planning by mid-career. Begin by discussing retirement plans with a bar association advisor, CPA, financial consultant, or life coach. Then prepare a written plan with timeline, strategies, and tactics. Planning can bring positive results for you, your clients, and your firm. Consult the resources listed below for strategies to help you close or sell your practice. Following are tips for closing or selling a smal firm and links to resources for additional help. Tips Advisors - hire an advisor to assist with marketing, negotiation, and valuation. Agreement - use a “Buy Sell Agreement” to plan for the departure of a partner. Alternatives   – options include closing firm, designating a successor, reducing caseload, or selling. Ethics   – review ethical obligations to avoid infractions and pitfalls. Hiring – groom a young lawyer to replace an exiting lawyer. Insuring   - keep malpractice insurance for risks arising after closing or sale. License ...
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Protecting Your Computer

Unless you use private browsing for your Windows computer, starting in February 2025 you will stay signed into your Microsoft account until you sign out (pr eviously, users were prompted to select whether to stay logged in). Below are tips for protecting your Apple and Windows accounts, browsing, email, and passwords. Tips Authentication - use Two Factor Authentication or an Authenticator to stop hackers. Manage Passwords  - use a password manager to create and store passwords. Physical Lock  - use a physical lock to protect your personal computer from theft. Screen Lock - set your computer to lock when inactive. Sign-Out - remember to sign out when using public or shared computers.  Private Browsing - unless on your personal computer, use private browsing (a/k/a incognito mode) with Chrome, Edge, Safari, etc.  Articles Avoiding Computer Theft Best Practices for a Mac Enabling Private Browsing Ensuring Data Security Locking Computers When Away Preventing Trojan H...
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Managing Political Stress

Political news and discussions about politics can heighten anxiety and stress levels.  Below are tips for avoiding political stress and links to articles and books with additional help.  Tips Acceptance - Be open minded to other views. Blocking - block or mute upsetting content from your social media feed. Discussions  - avoid heated discussions. Exercise  - Walk or work-out for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. News - Limit viewing of politics in newspapers, social media, and TV Mindfulness - practice mindfulness and stress reduction. Sleep  - get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Articles Managing Stress Preventing Election Anxiety Reducing Politically Induced Stress Staying Calm Using Media Wisely Books  Mindfulness Stress Management
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